System for managing video voicemail

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system over a Public Switched Telephone Network port of the communication device, receive from the voicemail system by way of a broadband port of the communication device an invitation to switch to a video call over the broadband port, transmit a Session Initiation Protocol message to establish video communications with the voicemail system, and transmit to the voicemail system a video message to be recorded by the voicemail system as a video voicemail message. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication techniques andmore specifically to a system for managing video voicemail.

BACKGROUND

The adoption rate of phones with video communication capability has beenslow due in part to privacy concerns and further due to the complexsetup and operations of a video call with webcams and videophones. Someconsumers do not want to be seen at times when it may be inconvenient orundesirable. For instance, a consumer may not want to engage in a videoconference call with strangers or while engaged in activities that arenormally considered private.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict exemplary embodiments of a communication system;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication deviceoperating in the communication system;

FIGS. 4-5 depict exemplary methods operating in portions of thecommunication system;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary call flow diagram that can be used by themethods of FIGS. 4-5; and

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, whenexecuted, may cause the machine to perform any plurality of themethodologies disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device canhave a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemailsystem over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) port of thecommunication device, receive from the voicemail system by way of abroadband port of the communication device an invitation to switch to avideo call over the broadband port, transmit a Session InitiationProtocol (SIP) message to establish video communications with thevoicemail system, and transmit to the voicemail system a video messageto be recorded by the voicemail system as a video voicemail message.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storagemedium operating in a communication device can have computerinstructions for establishing a circuit-switched communication sessionwith a voicemail system, and initiating a transition to a video InternetProtocol (IP) communication session with the voicemail system while thecircuit-switched communication session is active between thecommunication device and the voicemail system.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a voicemail system can havea controller adapted to transmit to a communication device an invitationto switch from an active circuit-switched communication session to avideo IP communication session.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100.The communication system 100 can comprise a Voicemail System (VMS) 102operably coupled to one or more communication devices (CD) 104 housed ina building 105 or roaming about the communication system 100. The CD 104can establish communications with other CDs or the VMS 102 by way of acommon packet-switched network such as an Internet Protocol (IP) network101, or a circuit-switched network such as a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) 103. The VMS 102 can be used to record voice-onlymessages supplied over the PSTN network 103 or IP network 101, or videovoicemail messages only by way of the IP network 101. The communicationsystem 100 can also comprise a network management system (NMS) 102operating for example as a proxy server or other suitable computing andcommunication device that can be accessed by the VMS 102 to determinethe communication capabilities of a select CD 104.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture (hereinreferred to as IMS network 200). IMS network 200 can be anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 100 employing the IPand PSTN networks 101, 103.

The IP network 101 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 240, atElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and a number of common IMSnetwork elements. The IP network 101 can be coupled to hybrid PSTN-IMScompliant communication devices (CDs) 104 which can communicate with theIP network 101 or the PSTN network 103.

IMS CDs 104 can register with the IP network 101 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) technique supportedby the HSS 240. To accomplish a communication session between IMS CDs,an originating IMS CD 104 can submit a SIP INVITE message to anoriginating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIPINVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference 210 thatcan provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application server 210 can be used to performoriginating treatment functions on the calling party number received bythe originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITE message. Originatingtreatment functions can include determining whether the calling partynumber has international calling services, and/or is requesting specialtelephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel call forwarding,*67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 206 can submit a query to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the terminating CD is IMS compliant. If theterminating CD is a PSTN-only device, the ENUM system 230 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution. In this instance theoriginating S-CSCF 206 will forward the call to a Media Gateway ControlFunction (MGCF) 220 that connects the call through the PSTN network 103via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (not shown).

When the ENUM server 230 returns a successful address resolution with aSIP URI, the SIP URI is used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 tosubmit a query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214associated with the terminating IMS CD 104. Once identified, the I-CSCF207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214 which cancall on an application server similar to reference 210 to perform theoriginating treatment telephony functions described earlier. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 104. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theIMS CD 104 to establish communications. The aforementioned process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 2 can be interchanged. It should also be noted that the hybrid IMSCDs 104 can begin a call via the PSTN network 103 and later switch to anIMS-compliant VoIP or video IP call.

The IP network 101 of FIG. 2 can be supplemented with the VMS 102 ofFIG. 1. The VMS 102 can be an integral part of the application server210 or an external IMS-compliant system that is accessible by the IPnetwork. The VMS 102 can accept redirected PSTN or IMS calls fromcalling parties when a called party does not answer a call. The VMS 102can provide a calling party options to record and store voice-only orvideo voicemail messages depending on the type of communication sessionused. The NMS 106 referred to in FIG. 1 can be an integral part of theHSS 240 for purposes of managing subscription information about the CDs104.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the hybrid PSTN-IMS CD 104.The CD 104 can comprise a wireless and/or wireline transceiver 302, auser interface (UI) 304, a power supply 316, and a controller 303 formanaging operations thereof. A circuit-switched communication port ofthe transceiver 302 can utilize common communication technologies tosupport PSTN or POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) communications. Apacket-switched communication port of the transceiver 302 can utilizecommon communication technologies to support broadband cable, and/orxDSL communications. The circuit-switched communication port of thetransceiver 302 can also utilize Digital Enhance CordlessTelecommunications (DECT) to support wireless communications with a baseunit coupled to the PSTN network 103. The packet-switched port canutilize WiFi technology to achieve wireless communications by way of abase unit (e.g., modem/router) coupled to a broadband interface of theIP network 101.

In addition to the aforementioned communication technologies, thetransceiver 302 can support other wireless access technologies suchWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Wide Band(UWB), software defined radio (SDR), and cellular access technologiessuch as CDMA-1X, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, and EVDO.Accordingly, the CD 104 can serve as a multimode communication devicewith versatility to operate locally or remote to building 105. It shouldbe noted that other next generation wireline and wireless accesstechnologies can also be applied to the present disclosure.

The UI 304 can include a keypad 306 with depressible or touch-sensitivebuttons and a navigation element such as a navigation disk, button,roller ball, or flywheel for manipulating operations of the CD 104. TheUI 304 can further include a display 308 such as monochrome or color LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) which can be touch-sensitive for manipulatingoperations of the CD 104 and for conveying still and video images to theend user of said device. The UI 304 can also include an audio system 310that utilizes common audio technology for conveying and interceptingaudible signals and a camera 312 utilizing common imaging technology forcapturing still and video images. The camera 312 and audio system 310can be used by the CD 104 to support video communications with other CDsand the VMS 102.

The power supply 316 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, andcharging system technologies for supplying energy to the components ofthe CD 104 and to facilitate portable applications. Depending on thetype of power supply 316 used, the communication device 104 can be animmobile or portable CD. The controller 303 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor(DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAMor other like technologies for controlling operations of the CD 104. Anend user can also utilize more than one type of CD 104 and migratebetween CDs when desired.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method 400 operating in portions of thecommunication system 100 for recording voicemail messages. Method 400begins with step 402 in which an originating CD 104 initiates by way ofits circuit-switched communication port a PSTN call directed to aterminating CD. When a subscriber of the terminating CD 104 does notanswer the call in step 404, the call is redirected in step 406 to thevoicemail system (VMS) 102. The redirected call remains a PSTN call inthis step. In step 408, the VMS 102 can determine whether theoriginating CD 104 is video-capable. This step can be accomplished anumber of ways. For example, the VMS 102 can retrieve from SS7 signalinginformation of the PSTN call the calling party number of the CD 104. TheVMS 102 can have in its memory a list of known calling party numbersidentifying which devices are hybrid PSTN-IMS CDs and which are not. Thelist can be developed by the VMS 102 from a recorded history of previouscalls engaged with a number of CDs 104.

Alternatively, the VMS 102 can submit to the ENUM system 230 the callingparty number of the originating CD 104 as an E.164 number. If the ENUM240 responds with a SIP URI, the VMS 102 can submit a SIP OPTIONSmessage to the originating CD 104 by way of the IP network 101 coupledto said CD's broadband port. If the CD 104 responds with a SIP OKmessage, the VMS 102 can record the association of the calling partynumber, the SIP URI and its ability to perform video messaging. In yetanother embodiment, the VMS 102 can submit a SIP OPTIONS message to theNMS 106 (or the HSS 240 if the NMS is not an integral part thereof) todetermine whether it is video-capable. If the NMS 106 responds with aSIP OK message, and a corresponding SIP Uniform Resource Identifier(URI) of the originating CD 104, the VMS 102 can record in its databasethe calling party number, the SIP URI, and its capability for videomessaging for future use. If the VMS 102 detects the CD 104 is aPSTN-only CD, it can also record in its database an association of thecalling party number with the limited voice-only communicationcapability of said device.

If the VMS 102 determines from any of the foregoing embodiments that theoriginating CD 104 is not video-capable, the VMS 102 can proceed to step412 where it continues voicemail processing over the PSTN network 103.That is, the VMS 102 can present in this step by common meanssynthesized speech prompts to record a voicemail message of the callingparty of the CD 104 in a voice-only format. When however the VMS 102detects the CD 104 is video-capable, it proceeds to step 414 where itsubmits a SIP INVITE message to the originating CD 104 according to itsSIP URI to invite the calling party of the CD to switch to a video IPcall.

The originating CD 104 can present in step 306 the SIP INVITE message byway of its UI 304 in the form of a flashing hard or touch-sensitivebutton with an accompanying text message (e.g., “If you would like torecord video voicemail, please select the video button. Otherwise,please select the video decline button.”). Other suitable techniques fornotifying the calling party of the invitation via the UI 304 can beused. If the SIP INVITE message transmitted by the VMS 102 is notaccepted, the VMS 102 can continue voicemail processing over the PSTNnetwork 103 as previously described. The VMS 102 can detect a decline inthe invitation from a proactive manipulation of the UI 304 by thecalling party, or from a time out due to a lack of response by thecalling party.

If the invitation is accepted, the VMS 102 and the CD 104 can terminatein step 420 the PSTN call responsive to establishing the video IP calltherebetween. At this point, the calling party of the originating CD 104can submit a video voicemail message in step 422 using the camera 312and audio system 310 of the UI 304 responsive to common directiveprompts presented by the VMS 102. The VMS 102 can record in step 424 thevideo voicemail message for later retrieval by the called party (i.e.,subscriber of the voicemail service provided by the VMS).

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method 500 operating in portions of thecommunication system 100 for retrieving voicemail messages recordedaccording to method 400. Method 500 begins with step 502 in which a CD104 of a subscriber of the VMS 102 initiates a PSTN call with the VMS toretrieve voicemail messages. In step 504 the VMS 102 determines whetherthe CD 104 is video-capable. It can accomplish this by any of theaforementioned embodiments presented by method 400.

For example, the VMS 102 can retrieve the calling party number from SS7signaling information and use it to determine whether the CD 104 isknown to be video-capable CD. If the calling party number is notrecognized, the VMS 102 can submit inquiries to the NMS 106 (or HSS 240)or the ENUM system 230 as previously described in method 400. In caseswhere the subscriber is calling from a known CD 104 (e.g., his/her cellphone, home phone, or office phone), the VMS 102 can immediately make adetermination whether said CD is video-capable based on pre-provisionedinformation that identifies the capabilities of CDs of the subscriber bycalling number. If the subscriber is however calling from a CD 104unknown to the VMS 102 (e.g., a friend's cell phone), the VMS can submitinquiries to the NMS 106 or ENUM system 230 unless the CD is recognizedfrom a previous exchange.

If the VMS 102 determines the CD 104 is not video-capable in step 506,the VMS proceeds to step 508 where it continues voicemail processingover the PSTN network 103. In this step the VMS 102 presents the CD 104synthesized speech prompts to navigate the subscriber through theprocess of retrieving audio-only voicemail messages. If a selectedvoicemail message is in video format, the VMS 102 will present in step508 only the audio portion of said video voicemail.

If the VMS 102 however determines the CD 104 is video-capable, itproceeds to step 510 where it submits a SIP INVITE message to the CD.The CD 104 in turn presents in step 512 the invitation to switch to avideo IP call by way of its UI 304 as previously described in method400. If the subscriber of the CD 104 rejects the request the VMS 102proceeds to step 508. Otherwise, the VMS 102 and CD 104 terminate thePSTN connection in step 516 responsive to establishing a video IPcommunication session therebetween. The subscriber of the CD 104 canthen review in step 518 audio-only and video voicemail messages recordedby the VMS 102.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a call flow diagram forswitching from a PSTN to video IP call that can be used by methods400-500. Call flow begins with a PSTN call initiated by a calling partydirected to a terminating CD 104 or the VMS 102 (in the case of asubscriber desiring to retrieve voicemail messages). Once the PSTN callis answered by the VMS 102 (directly or by call redirection), PSTNcommunications is established between the CD 104 and the VMS. The VMS102 can then send an E.164 query to the ENUM system 230 to determine theSIP URI of the CD 104. It can then send a SIP OPTIONS request directedto the originating CD 104 by way of its broadband port to determinewhether the CD of the calling party is capable of video communications.If the CD 104 is video-capable, a SIP OK message is transmitted by theCD to the VMS 102 acknowledging its capability. Alternatively, the VMS102 can skip the ENUM query and transmit the SIP OPTIONS message to theNMS 106 to determine if the CD 104 is video capable. If it is, the NMS106 can respond with a SIP OK message and the SIP URI of the CD 104.

The VMS 102 then transmits a SIP INVITE message to the CD 104 accordingto its SIP URI. The SIP INVITE can be presented to the calling partyaccording to any number manifestations of the UI 304 of the CD 104. Ifthe calling party accepts the invitation to switch to a video IP call,the CD 104 transmits a SIP OK message, which the VMS 102 acknowledgeswith a SIP ACK message. At this point, the CD 104 of the calling partyand the VMS 102 terminate the PSTN call by common means, and a video IPcommunication conforming to a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) ensuestherebetween.

It would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art thatthe embodiments presented can be modified, reduced, or enhanced withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. Forexample, the call flow diagram can have more or less steps to initiate aPSTN and video IP communication session. Additionally, the process fordiscovering the capabilities of a CD 104 can be supplied proactively bythe CD rather than the VMS 102 having to probe the CD, the NMS 106, theHSS 240, or the ENUM system 230. Consequently, the request to switch tovideo IP communications can be invoked by either the originating CD 104or the VMS 102.

These and other suitable modifications can be applied to the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly,the reader is directed to the claims for a fuller understanding of thebreadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor 702 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each othervia a bus 708. The computer system 700 may further include a videodisplay unit 710 (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system700 may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 720.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a machine-readable medium 722 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 724)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 724may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702during execution thereof by the computer system 700. The main memory 704and the processor 702 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 724, or that which receives and executes instructions 724from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 726 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 726 using the instructions 724. Theinstructions 724 may further be transmitted or received over a network726 via the network interface device 720.

While the machine-readable medium 722 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A communication device, comprising a controller adapted to: establishcommunications with a voicemail system over a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) port of the communication device; receive from thevoicemail system by way of a broadband port of the communication devicean invitation to switch to a video call over the broadband port;transmit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message to establish videocommunications with the voicemail system; and transmit to the voicemailsystem a video message to be recorded by the voicemail system as a videovoicemail message.
 2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is adapted to establish communications with the voicemailsystem responsive to a redirection of a PSTN call initiated by thecommunication device being redirected to the voicemail system.
 3. Thecommunication device of claim 2, wherein the voicemail system transmitsthe invitation responsive to the voicemail system determining that thecommunication device is video capable according to a calling partynumber retrieved from the PSTN call.
 4. The communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to: receive a SIP OPTIONSmessage from the voicemail system to determine whether the communicationdevice is video capable; and transmit to the voicemail system a SIP OKmessage indicating it is video capable.
 5. The communication device ofclaim 4, wherein the controller is adapted to: receive from thevoicemail system a SIP INVITE message to switch to video communicationsover the broadband port of the communication device; and terminatecommunications with the voicemail system over the PSTN port responsiveto establishing video communications with the voicemail system over thebroadband port.
 6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is adapted to present the invitation by way of a UserInterface (UI) of the communication device.
 7. The communication deviceof claim 6, wherein the UI comprises at least one among a display, anilluminable tactile or touch-sensitive button, and an illuminablesoftkey button presented at the display.
 8. The communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the communication device and the voicemail systemoperate in an IP Multimedia Subsystem communication system.
 9. Acomputer-readable storage medium operating in a communication device,comprising computer instructions for: establishing a circuit-switchedcommunication session with a voicemail system; and initiating atransition to a video Internet Protocol (IP) communication session withthe voicemail system while the circuit-switched communication session isactive between the communication device and the voicemail system. 10.The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the circuit-switchedcommunication session comprises a Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) communication session, and wherein the communication device andthe voicemail system operate in an IP Multimedia Subsystem communicationsystem.
 11. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computerinstructions for terminating the circuit-switched communication sessionresponsive to switching to the video IP communication session.
 12. Thestorage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions forestablishing communications with the voicemail system responsive to thecircuit-switched communication session initiated by the communicationdevice being redirected to the voicemail system.
 13. The storage mediumof claim 9, comprising computer instructions for receiving from thevoicemail system an invitation to transition to the video IPcommunication session responsive to the voicemail system determiningthat the communication device is video capable according to a callingparty number retrieved from the circuit-switched communication session.14. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions for:receiving a SIP OPTIONS message from the voicemail system to determinewhether the communication device is video capable; and transmitting tothe voicemail system a SIP OK message indicating it is video capable.15. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the controller is adapted toreceive from the voicemail system a SIP INVITE message to switch tovideo communications over the broadband port of the communicationdevice; and terminate communications with the voicemail system over thePSTN port responsive to establishing video communications with thevoicemail system over the broadband port.
 16. The storage medium ofclaim 9, comprising computer instructions for presenting the invitationby way of a User Interface (UI) of the communication device.
 17. Thestorage medium of claim 9, wherein communication device comprises acircuit-switch communication port, and a packet-switched communicationport, and wherein the circuit-switched communication session takes placeby way of the circuit-switch communication port, and the video IPcommunication session takes place by way of the packet-switchedcommunication port.
 18. A voicemail system, comprising a controlleradapted to transmit to a communication device an invitation to switchfrom an active circuit-switched communication session to a videoInternet Protocol (IP) communication session.
 19. The voicemail systemof claim 18, wherein the controller is adapted to determine whether thecommunication device is video capable from a calling party numberretrieved during the circuit-switched communication session.
 20. Thevoicemail system of claim 18, wherein the controller is adapted to:transmit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) OPTIONS message to thecommunication device to determine whether the communication device isvideo capable; and receive from the communication device a SIP OKmessage that indicates it is video capable.
 21. The voicemail system ofclaim 20, wherein the controller is adapted to: transmit to thecommunication device the invitation as a SIP INVITE message to switch tovideo communications over a broadband port of the communication device;and terminate communications the circuit-switched communication sessionresponsive to establishing video communications with the communicationdevice over the broadband port.
 22. The voicemail system of claim 18,wherein the controller is adapted to: receive a video message from thecommunication device over the video IP communication session; and recordsaid video message.
 23. The voicemail system of claim 22, wherein thecontroller is adapted to: establish communications with a secondcommunication device over a second circuit-switched communicationsession; and transmit a second invitation to the second communicationdevice to switch from the second circuit-switched communication sessionto a second video IP communication session.
 24. The voicemail system ofclaim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to determine that the secondcommunication device is video capable from a calling party numberretrieved from the second circuit-switched communication session. 25.The voicemail system of claim 23, wherein the second communicationdevice switches to the second video IP communication session responsiveto the second invitation, and wherein the controller is adapted topresent the recorded video message to the second communication device.